Happy Thursday! I’m excited to introduce you to my friend, Jill Beran. She has poured many prayers and words of encouragement into my life through the years, for which I’m so grateful. Jill is a mom and wife and lives on a farm in Iowa. One of my favorite things about Jill are the Bible teachings she shares from life on their farm. Her stories bring God’s Word alive for me in fresh ways.

Jill is giving away a copy of her study so be sure to enter to win below!

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It’s cultivating time here on the farm. If you were to stop by, you’d find my husband busily cultivating the beans we’ve planted in the field. It’s a task I associate with Iowa soil, and one I know involves work and takes time. Though you may not live on a farm, cultivating is something we all should do! Yours just might not be in a field in Iowa!

Because of the easy access to chemicals and fertilizers, many farmers find they don’t need to cultivate their fields. They take the easier and faster route. But, since we’re raising organic crops, chemicals aren’t an option. My husband must engage in the tedious task of cultivating 12 rows at a time, using equipment that churns up the dirt and removes the weeds, so the crop can grow.

While I watch my husband cultivate our crops, I picture God doing the same with my heart. Cultivating my heart takes time. It involves work and requires effort on my part. It isn’t something that happens with the flip of a switch; it’s hard work, but it brings results!

Cultivating also tills up the soil, so new growth can occur. Just as at times it would be easier for my husband to use chemicals and raise our crops conventionally, it’s tempting for us to pursue an easier way to connect with God. But, God desires a personal relationship with us. A deep and abiding relationship. There’s no quick way to make that happen, and no one else can do it for us.

In order to do his cultivating, my husband needs a tractor and a cultivator. We need two things as well … quiet time and God’s Word. Our Bible is the main piece of equipment we need – it’s our most powerful tool. Hebrews 4:12 tells us, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” God’s Word can do more work than my husband’s John Deere will ever do, but we have to open it and be receptive to what He has to say!!

Finally, God also brought to mind that my husband cultivated the same field last year, and his dad did the same many years ago. Each new year, the work had to be done again. Cultivating isn’t a task we do once and consider it done, and the same is true for our hearts. Each season, actually every day of every season, we need to cultivate the soil of our hearts. Only then will new growth take place.

Every year my husband’s goal is to produce a better yield than he did the year before. Shouldn’t we do the same as disciples of Christ? If we want to grow closer to Christ and do more to glorify our Abba Father, our hearts must grow closer to His, and that won’t happen unless we get the cultivating done!

The Giveaway

Giveaway now closed. Jill was so blessed by all of your comments that she is giving away two copies of her book! Congrats Vonnie Kronk and Heidi (hamoth). Please check your email for more information from my assistant, Kim Stewart.

Are you looking for a study that will get you into God’s Word and allow Him to do some cultivating? We’re giving away a copy of Jill’s study, ReNEWal Road – The Journey of Becoming More Like Jesus. Leave a comment with a verse that God has used to change your heart or simply say, “I’m in!” and we’ll enter you in the drawing! U.S. Addresses only please. Winner will be announced here on Friday, September 7.

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Jill Beran is a farmer’s wife, homeschooling mom to 5, and Bible teacher. When she’s not picking rocks or pulling weeds, she enjoys coaching basketball, serving in women’s ministry and writing. You can connect with Jill at Titus24U.

Hey friends, I’m SO excited to share my friend Jennifer Rothschild’s new study with you!! Jennifer is one of my favorite Bible teachers because she teaches God’s Word with an intimate, tender voice that I find rare among Bible teachers. Her deep love of God’s Word, and passion for everyone she encounters to know and love that Word, is contagious. So, without further delay, enjoy these wise words from Jennifer as she shares from her new LifeWay Bible Study, Psalm 23: The Shepherd With Me.

Plus, she’s giving away a copy of her Bible study book to one of you (read to the end)!

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Do you have any special memories that come up when you read, hear, or think of Psalm 23?

Maybe it was granny’s favorite Psalm. Or maybe it was read at the funeral of someone you love. You may have seen it on a plaque or memorized it as a child.

This passage stirs up all sorts of emotions, doesn’t it?

David, who wrote this Psalm, tells us in the first verse, “The Lord is my…” He then finishes it with “shepherd.”

Think about the word “my.” The verse doesn’t say that the Lord is “a” shepherd or “our” shepherd. It says He is “my” shepherd. To me, “my” means personal possession.

Just ask any toddler. “My” means that toy belongs to me. It is covered with my drool, practically crushed in my little fist, and treasured as if it is the only toy I have. It is my personal possession.

David talks about God as if God belonged to him and he belonged to God. In other words, the relationship is intimate, safe, and permanent.

Sister, do you, like David, talk about God as if He belongs to you and you belong to Him? Is God personal to you?

When I think of the Lord as my shepherd, I feel safe with Him. I see how He has guided me through green pastures and dark valleys. And, to be honest, when I really lean on Him as my shepherd, I feel the freedom to be as needy and dependent as a sheep.

Psalm 23 is not an arm’s length, past-tense, wouldn’t-it-be-nice kind of passage. It is personal. It is a right here, right now, up-close passage about you and your Shepherd.

But “shepherd” is just one way to illustrate God’s character. There are many other verses in the Bible that also describe how the Lord is a personal God to you.

Maybe today you need to be reminded of how the Lord is a personal God. Here are four Scripture passages to get you started.

1. The Lord Is My Portion

The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You support my lot. (Psalm 16:5, NASB)

When you consider the Lord is your portion, you’re reminded that He is all you need. In all the areas of your life where you may feel insufficient or weak, sister, He is enough.

2. The Lord Is My Rock

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. (Psalm 18:2, NASB)

With the Lord as your rock, you learn that He will stabilize and ground you when life feels shaky. And when He steadies you, oh girl, you are steadfast and unshakeable.

3. The Lord Is My Salvation

The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread? (Psalm 27:1, NASB)

When you consider the Lord is your salvation, you take refuge in Him. You run to Him and He welcomes you, defends you, protects you, and preserves your life.

4. The Lord Is My Strength

The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped;
Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him. (Psalm 28:7, NASB)

The Lord is your strength and helps you deal with the fears that rise up in you. He gives you what you need to make it through whatever the day brings.

He is a right-now, up-close, personal God to you, sister. And He cares for you.

Jennifer’s new Bible study, Psalm 23: The Shepherd With Me will help you explore the depths of God’s care for you tucked in the psalm you’ve always loved. Through August 31, get a free audio download bundle with purchase of Jennifer’s Bible study book.

The Giveaway

How are these qualities of God’s character personal to you? Do you have any additional verses that remind you how personal He is? Share in the comments below, and one reader will win a copy of Jennifer’s new study. U.S. Addresses only please. Winner announced here Monday, August 20.

Adventurous I’m not. But, God gave me a daughter who loves travel and adventure. I’ll never forget the day Lauren called to tell me she and her friends wanted to plan a multi-country tour through Asia, staying in hostels and other places this mama would not set foot.

How I wanted to join in on her joy and excitement, but I couldn’t. My mind immediately traveled to terrorist attacks. Scenes from the movie, Taken. Food poisoning. Plane crashes. Any of you mamas been there?

And, to add fuel to my fire, a week before her departure date, pain Lauren had been experiencing elevated to the point it necessitated a doctor visit. Her doctor sent her to a surgeon who told her she needed to have her gall bladder removed as soon as possible. Because of the months of planning invested in this trip, he gave her permission to travel and scheduled her surgery two days after her return. They prescribed medicine that would give her two days to fly back in the event of a gall bladder emergency. Not words an already fearful and nervous mama wanted to hear.

Fear consumed my heart. I turned to the only One I knew would bring me peace. God led me to His Word.

THIS word.

Psalm 121

I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from?My help comes from the Lord,the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber;indeed, he who watches over Israelwill neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over you—the Lord is your shade at your right hand;the sun will not harm you by day,nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm— he will watch over your life;the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

God’s promise to me …

God will watch over Lauren’s coming and going.

Through this psalm, God reminded me of His character. He never changes. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Just as God did for Israel, He will do for Lauren. For centuries, God watched over the coming and going of His chosen people. He did the very same for Jesus and His disciples. I knew He was asking me to trust Him to do the same for my girl. Every plane flight. Every border crossing. Every train. Every hostel. Every meal. Every interaction. He would be there with her. I could trust Him.

Each day, I rehearsed His promises. I prayed them over Lauren and her friends.

Instead of crying out in fear, I called upon Him in faith.

I truly felt anxious for nothing because I prayed about everything.

I believed that HE was watching over her coming and going because He is El Roi, the God Who Sees.

He had His eye upon her. He had His eye on me.

He was near.

He was in control.

She was safe.

I pray this message speaks to your heart today. Maybe you’re sending a child off to college or a far away trip. Maybe you’re stepping into a new place in life. Maybe you or someone you love has received a diagnosis that terrifies you. Maybe you’re in a storm where the waves are crashing over you, overwhelming you. Maybe fear holds you captive.

Leave a comment today and share a promise that YOU cling to in times like this. Let’s fill this comment section with Scriptures that will bless and encourage us in these difficult, fearful, lonely, scary places.

Thanking God for each one of you today. May you know His love, presence and provision is the most sweet and intimate ways.

P.S. The winner of our last giveaway was Katria! Please check your email for more info.